Nature & Purpose NYC Reviews and Tickets

69%

(26 Ratings)

Positive

73%

Mixed

19%

Negative

Members say

Edgy, Ambitious, Thought-provoking, Quirky, Confusing

About the Show

An exploration of the idea of ‘art’ as seen through the works of two radical creators, with two short works, focusing on abstract expressionist Jackson Pollock and the controversial performance artist Chris Burden.

'Pollock: A Frequency Parable' is a 30 minute avant operatic sound performance piece inspired by famed painter Jackson Pollock. The play re-conceptualizes key elements used in Pollock’s revolutionary style of art making — such as energy, motion, scale, and improvisation — presenting a challenge to both the performer and the audience to free the voice from the confines of form and language, allowing it to transcend tradition and be experienced for its potential.

'A Beast/A Burden' combines contemporary theatrical staging with recreations of some of Burden’s most controversial and exciting multimedia and performance pieces, chronicling the life of the young artist, with Burden himself serving as the meandering and sometimes unreliable narrator of his own story.

Show-Score Member Reviews (26)

Ambitious, Sonic, Arty, Uneven, Multimedia

See it if you'd like to see 2 performance art projects that take their inspirations from the lives & work of 2 signature post-World War II US artists.

Don't see it if you’re looking for a play: only 1 of these pieces has anything like drama, only sometimes, & drama is its weakest ingredient. Read more

Ambitious, Humorous, Edgy, Quirky

See it if you like avant-garde works about avant-garde artists

Don't see it if you're looking for an in depth bio of the subjects Read more

Ambitious, Quirky, Edgy

See it if You are an art fan and like experimental theater

Don't see it if You don't have earplugs for the first piece. The glam rock vocals were excruciatingly loud. Second piece was interesting but fluffy. Read more

Disappointing, Overrated, Quirky, Slow

See it if If you want to see an avante g. Play about two avante garde artists. If you want a different kind of play.

Don't see it if You want a consistent well written play. A play that is better than fair at best.

Clever, Edgy, Intense, Thought-provoking, Quirky

See it if You enjoy weird performance art and the unusual theater performance

Don't see it if you want a basic drama or ordinary play

Excruciating, Confusing, Banal

See it if you enjoy aggressive performance art.

Don't see it if you seek clear narratives or comfortable seats/leg room (practically none exists).

Absorbing, Ambitious, Edgy

See it if You want to see actor recreate performance artist Burden’s stunts. You enjoy performances with video backdrops.

Don't see it if If you are not willing to endure something experimental.

Clever, Thought-provoking, Edgy

See it if you like two well-executed multi-media performances celebrating the work of experimental artists Pollack and Burden

Don't see it if you need elaborate staging, sets, a large cast and/or easy entertainment.

Trailer

Creative team